Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

259. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount allocated in 2016 for home energy grants; and the number of households projected to be covered by these grants in 2016. [28017/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates a number of energy efficiency schemes under the Better Energy Programme on behalf of my Department. The Better Energy Homes Scheme makes a range of grants available to home-owners who wish to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme offers free energy efficiency upgrades to those in energy poverty, while the Better Energy Communities Scheme funds a range of community activity on energy efficiency.

To date, the Better Energy Programme has supported energy efficiency upgrades in more than 325,000 homes throughout Ireland.  It is anticipated that up to 25,000 homes will receive energy efficiency upgrades under the Better Energy Programme in 2016. SEAI estimate that this activity will support approximately 2,300 jobs.

The following table details the numbers of homes that have received grant support so far in 2016, the amount of funding spent to date and the estimated final outturn for each programme (capital and current) in 2016.